Matthew Booth

Not many things in life play out as expected, yet we are always surprised when things turn out
differently than we intended them to. That's why I'm trying to prepare you for the inevitable for
the World Cup. David will defeat Goliath at some point. Giants will fall, and teams that haven't
been making headlines leading up to the World Cup will do damage.

Carlos Alberto Parreira names his SA squad and its highest scorer is not in it. Benni McCarthy
joined training looking distinctly chubby, like Ronaldo, four years ago. Apparently his slim fast
regime was not fast enough.

Bafana Bafana Captain Aaron Mokoena will be writing his name in the record books on Monday when he
leads his team onto the fieldÂ against Guatamala for his 100th appearance for the South African
National Team.

The International friendly against Guatamala (World Rankk 114) Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane
on Monday night, should give a confidentÂ Bafana Bafana (Fifa/coca cola Rank 83) the ideal
opportunity to consolidate the midfield and get a bit more impetus upfront.

The 19th FIFA World Cup kicks off in nine weeks today, and as such Dotmund
continues his almost-in-depth look ahead to this summer's festivities.Â Today is the beginning of
his preview of each of the eight groups, having been sent foraging for facts on the internet with
only his trusty huge mackerel baguette for company.

South Africa are the hosts of World Cup 2010, and will be in Group A with France, Mexico and
Uruguay. Not an easy draw, and the pressure will be on for Bafana Bafana to at least get out of the
group stage.

Read on for the full South Africa profile, and feel free to disagree with any of the below in
the comments.

Brazil are into the final of the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup after a late victory over a resilient
South Africa. Substitute Daniel Alves scored the game winner for theÂ SelecÃ§Ã£o 6 minutes after
coming on as a substitute. At Ellis Park, Johannesburg: Scorer: Daniel Alves 88 South Africa:
16-Itumeleng Khune; 2-Siboniso Gaxa, 3-Tsepo Masilela, 4-Aaron Mokoena, 14-Matthew Booth; 5-Benson
[.

The coaches of the 2010 FIFA World Cup teams have started arriving in South Africa ahead of
Friday's final draw.
The much-anticipated draw will determine the groups and matches for the tournament's first round
and everybody wants to avoid the legendary "group of death."

Diego Maradona was Banned

All but one of the 32 coaches will attend the event Argentina's controversial Diego Maradona was
banned.

Carlos Alberto Parreira,Â Bafana Bafana head coach, has announcedÂ a 25-man squad that will
travel to Germany for a training camp. The team departs on Monday (12 April) and will return to
South Africa on Friday (30 April).

With spirits running high in the Bafana camp after a very successful training camp in Brazil,
the boys seem to be looking forward to the European trip.

One of the great disappointments of African football is that the South African nation have not been
been able to produce a team to match the enormous passion that its people have for the game.
However, the mere fact that the tournament itself is being held there is a victory for the Rainbow
Nation, the continent of Africa and for football.

With 48 matches about to take place in the group stage of the World Cup, one must focus his
viewing on a select few. Well, not "must", but rather "might have to". Of the 8 groups in South
Africa, here are my top matches to look out for in each group.

You might be thinking: Of course Nelson Mandela (pictured above with South Africa defender
Matthew Booth) will attend the World Cup opener and the World Cup Final. Why on earth would he
not?

Well, South Africa's former President (and all round legend) is now 92 years old and so a little
on the frail side, apparently leading to some debate about whether Mandela would be able to make an
appearance at World Cup 2010 or not.

You don't run into a lot of Irish folks in Africa.Â Lots of Canadians, Norwegians, Japanese,
and Australians but very few Irish.Â Maybe that helps to explain why Sport Against Racism Ireland
was among the groups who, during June's Confederations Cup in South Africa, were quick to assume
that predominantly black crowds were booing the lone white player on the South African national
team Matthew Booth.

So I'm watching Brazil struggle to get past South Africa, and you'd be right to wonder at times
which of these teams is considered among the best in the world. For all of their talent and
personal fortunes, Brazil look rather pedestrian, and we...

Matthew Booth's story reminds one of how sports in SA was and still is segregated along racial
lines.

Cricket and rugby were always the sport of choice for the privileged white population. Football
was more the sport of the poorer blacks and the coloureds majorities living in shanty towns playing
the sport on hardscrabble grounds.

Joel Santana's squad needs to work on stopping those back breaking free kicks which seem to doom
them at the last minute. This time it was Xabi Alonso's extra time free kick in the 107th minute
that sank South Africa.

Vicente Del Bosque went to his deep bench strength. Sergio Ramos whose poor clearance led to
Dempsey's goal was replaced by Raul Albiol.